Egypt hopes Lebanon ceasefire will lead to regional de-escalation, end to Gaza aggression

CAIRO – 27 November 2024: Egypt welcomed the commencement of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon on Wednesday, viewing this development as a critical step towards initiating a phase of de-escalation in the region.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt underscored the significance of this agreement as a precursor to halting Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for over a year.

Egypt emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid amidst the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the enclave, and putting a stop to unjustified Israeli transgressions in the West Bank.

REGIONAL DE-ESCALATION

The ministry stressed the necessity of quelling escalation in the region, asserting that military means are not viable solutions for the crises at hand.

"There are no military solutions for crises in the region, but rather negotiations, dialogue, returning rights to their owners, and adherence to the principles of international law, international humanitarian law, international legitimacy, the UN Charter, and UN resolutions," the ministry stated.

Egypt highlighted the importance of a serious political process within a defined timeframe that culminates in the establishment of a Palestinian state on the entirety of Palestinian national soil, thereby ending the Israeli occupation.

LEBANON CEASEFIRE

Egypt asserted that the ceasefire in Lebanon would aid in regional de-escalation through the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, facilitating the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon and asserting control over entire Lebanese territories.

مواطنيين يوثقون الدمار الكبير في معظم مناطق #جنوب_لبنان اثناء عودتهم صباح اليوم. #وقف_إطلاق_النار pic.twitter.com/yLAcVehYYq

— Daily. (@Daily_Events_) November 27, 2024

The ministry emphasized the utmost importance of upholding Lebanese sovereignty and refraining from interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon.

Egypt also stressed the need to bolster Lebanese state institutions, including the presidential mandate, without external influence and in accordance with Lebanese national consensus and ownership.

CEASEFIRE EFFECTIVE

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon initiated a US-France-brokered ceasefire on Wednesday, ending nearly 14 months of intense fighting that brought the region closer to an all-out war.

Israeli forces have killed over 3,700 people during the war, according to Lebanese authorities, and forced around 1.2 million Lebanese people to flee their homes, with Israeli airstrikes levelling building in Beirut and the southern suburbs.

No immediate violations of the ceasefire have been reported thus far.

احتفالات بانتهاء العدوان الإسرائيلي والعودة إلى #النبطية وقراها #جنوب_لبنان #وقف_إطلاق_النار pic.twitter.com/oB3B4qjCEG

— Ahmad Hamieh🇦🇷🇦🇷 (@Ahmadhamieh313) November 27, 2024

The ceasefire agreement, which took effect at 4 AM on Wednesday, stipulates an initial two-month cessation of hostilities, with key provisions requiring Hezbollah to withdraw its armed presence from southern Lebanon and Israeli troops to retreat to their designated side of the border.

The agreement also mandates the deployment of thousands of additional Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers in the southern region, while an international panel led by the United States will oversee compliance efforts.

Hezbollah is obligated under the deal to relocate its forces north of the Litani River, situated around 30 kilometers north of the border.

AVERTING REGIONAL WAR

The clashes between Hezbollah and Israel started on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians, following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel.

Fighting between the two sides continued since then with Israeli forces escalating bombardment in mid-September and launching a ground offensive in Lebanon later.

During the offensive, Israel managed to assassinate senior Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, the group's secretary general, and his presumed successor, Hashim Safieddine.

The killing of Iranian and Hezbollah commanders over the past months has triggered retaliatory drone attacks by Iran on Israel in April and October. Israel responded to both attacks with airstrikes.

World leaders have warned of the danger of further Israeli-Iranain escalation driving the Middle East into an all-out war, harming all countries in the region.

Hezbollah attacks have forced around 50,000 Israelis to evacuate from northern regions, according to AP, with their rockets reaching as far south as Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have confirmed the deaths of dozens of soldiers in the ground attack in Lebanon.